Author: Submitted

By Mayor Tony Paulk Happy New Year citizens of Douglas! The great year of 2020 has begun and I am ready to get started with improvements for Douglas. I hope to see growth and prosperity for our great city in 2020. Looking back at 2019, I hope citizens can see that the City of Douglas is growing. I promise, once it is done, everyone will appreciate the enhancements and new construction that will improve our quality of life. Our biggest accomplishment in 2019 was the passage of the T.A.D. referendum. Our educational campaign paid off and as soon…

Jim Anthony Nipper, age 44, of Nicholls, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Nipper was born on June 22, 1975, in Coffee County to the late James Franklin Nipper and Josephine Burch Nipper. Mr. Nipper worked for O’Reilly Auto Parts and was a member of Saving Grace Ministries. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Nipper of Nicholls; Daughter, Rebecca (T.J.) Reliford of Nicholls; two sons, Joshua Terrell of Pearson and Matthew Terrell of Pearson; three sisters, Donna (Scott) Smith of Axson, Joann (Jeffery) Nipper of Douglas and Christina (Bradley) Anderson of Douglas; two brothers,…

Ettie “Jean” Bookout Vickers, age 62, of Ambrose, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020 at her residence. Mrs. Vickers was born on March 22, 1957 in Douglas, the daughter of Marvin Vasco Bookout and Wanda Mae McRorie Bookout. Mrs. Vickers was former owner/operator of Jean’s Teams Logistics and a member of Mt. Union Primitive Baptist Church in Ambrose. Survivors include her husband, Michael Elmer Vickers of Ambrose; daughter, Jennifer Day Childers (husband, Zane) of Ocilla; four sons, Michael Elmer Vickers Jr. (wife, Joy) of Douglas, Ashley Jerome Day (wife, Kristin) of Cobbtown, Jared Elie Vickers (wife, Melissa)…

James William “Billy” Walker, age 92, of Douglas, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Walker was born on May 11, 1927 in Brooks County, Georgia the son of the late Fleming Bates Walker and the late Deborah Elizabeth Joyce Walker. Mr. Walker graduated from Barney High School and then went on to the University of Georgia, where he graduated in 1951. That same year, Mr. Walker began teaching at Satilla. He then went to Atkinson County where he served as a teacher and coach from 1952 to 1955 before returning to Coffee County…

Condemned murderer Jimmy Fletcher Meders is scheduled for execution by lethal injection at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16 at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. Meders was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of Don Anderson. Media witnesses for the execution are Kate Brumback, Associated Press – Atlanta Bureau, Christian Boone, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, DeAnn Komanecky, Savannah Morning News, Iban de Miguel, Univision Communications, and Robert Harrison Preston Jr., Broadcast South. Meders requested a last meal of ten chicken strips, two bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, soda, and a pint of vanilla ice cream.…

Are you a high school student who likes to create art or do you know one who does? Then check out the 2020 Georgia Farm Bureau High School Art Contest! The state winner will receive $250, two state runners-up receive $150 each, and 10 district winners will each receive $100. The contest is open to all public, private and homeschool students in 9th through 12th grades. Finished artwork must be on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper and should be created in the colors black, white and gray. Contestants may use a variety of media to create their artwork including graphite,…

It’s difficult to imagine what our lives would be without natural resources such as soil, water, trees or minerals. You may notice these natural resources while enjoying a hike in the woods, but did you know natural resources are used to provide us with food, clothing, homes, electricity and much more? Farmers depend on soil and water to grow their crops. Trees provide paper and lumber for buildings. Georgia Farm Bureau is asking middle school students to describe the relationship between farmers and natural resources as the topic for its annual essay contest. The Coffee County Farm Bureau encourages 6th,…

Students from The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University recently served individuals within the Southeast Health District (SEHD). Working with Dr. Jon A. Drawdy, DMD, two dental residents and a supervising dentist were able to partner with the SEHD Teledentistry program. The SEHD Teledentistry program provides a variety of services, including oral health screenings, dental X-rays, teeth cleaning, oral home care education, oral hygiene kit, fluoride and sealant application, record review with treatment plan, referral for follow-up services and case management. “Through our grant partnership with Augusta University, we are able to provide oral health services to the pediatric…

Jimmy L. Williams, 78, of St. Simons Island, departed this life Sunday, January 5, 2020 at his residence. Graveside services will be conducted at 11AM Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens on St. Simons Island. Brandon Hill, Connor Hill, Jeffery Hill, Zachary Stanton, Seth Gorsuch, Hayden Gorsuch, and Griffen Ballesteros serving as pallbearers. Born September 7, 1941 in Whigham to the late Walter L. and Inez B. Williams, he was a graduate of Pelham High School and he also attended Georgia State University. Mr. Williams was a banker and entrepreneur. Mr. Williams also owned Coffee Chrysler in Douglas…

Farm Bureau offers $65,000 in ag scholarships The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, formerly the Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, is offering $65,000 in scholarships to Georgia students pursuing a degree in agriculture, veterinary medicine, family and consumer sciences or a related field, Derek Pridgen, Coffee County Farm Bureau president, recently announced. Since 1959, GFB has awarded scholarships to students entering college with plans to pursue a career in agriculture or family and consumer sciences. In 2016, GFB expanded the scholarship program to offer scholarships to rising college juniors and seniors, technical college students and veterinary college students. In 2020…